Pritzker: “I regret some of the things that I didn’t say and some of the things that I did, but my heart is in the right place — that I’ve tried really hard through the course of my life to do the right things for the African-American community and for communities across Illinois. … On that call, I was not my best self. I can be better. I have been better and I can do better and I have.”

Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer, Carrie Austin and Dowell said “they were ‘disheartened’ by Pritkzer’s comments to Blagojevich.” They “said they ‘will maintain our support for his candidacy. But we will also look for clear assurances that his thoughts around matters of race and equity have evolved substantially since those calls were recorded in 2008.’”

Pritzker accused Rauner of “colluding” with the Chicago Tribune to leak the wiretaps. (Chicago Tribune)

“Pritzker can NOT say if there are more damaging FBI tape recordings with Blago.” (NBC 5 Chicago)

Former state Senate President Emil Jones (D), who is supporting philanthropist Chris Kennedy (D), “not only doesn’t accept … Pritzker’s apology, he says the billionaire has shown ‘what he really thinks about black folks’ and should withdraw from the governor’s race.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

Kina Collins, a Pritzker campaign worker, posted on Facebook that she had “resigned on Tuesday … over his comments.” Collins: “I will not stand by a candidate who feels that way about Black folks.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

AND THE REST. All of the candidates except Madison County regional schools superintendent Bob Daiber (D) are raising most of their money from the Chicago area. More of Kennedy’s donations are coming from out of state. (Chicago Sun-Times)

"President Trump signed a sweeping spending bill Friday afternoon, averting another partial government shutdown. The action came after Trump had declared a national emergency in a move designed to circumvent Congress and build additional barriers at the southern border, where he said the United States faces 'an invasion of our country.'"

Source:

REDIRECTS $8 BILLION

Trump Declares National Emergency

6 days ago

THE DETAILS

"President Donald Trump on Friday declared a state of emergency on the southern border and immediately direct $8 billion to construct or repair as many as 234 miles of a border barrier. The move — which is sure to invite vigorous legal challenges from activists and government officials — comes after Trump failed to get the $5.7 billion he was seeking from lawmakers. Instead, Trump agreed to sign a deal that included just $1.375 for border security."

Source:

COULD SOW DIVISION AMONG REPUBLICANS

House Will Condemn Emergency Declaration

6 days ago

THE DETAILS

"House Democrats are gearing up to pass a joint resolution disapproving of President Trump’s emergency declaration to build his U.S.-Mexico border wall, a move that will force Senate Republicans to vote on a contentious issue that divides their party. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said Thursday evening in an interview with The Washington Post that the House would take up the resolution in the coming days or weeks. The measure is expected to easily clear the Democratic-led House, and because it would be privileged, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would be forced to put the resolution to a vote that he could lose."

Source:

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DRUG FORFEITURE FUND

Where Will the Emergency Money Come From?

1 weeks ago

THE DETAILS

"ABC News has learned the president plans to announce on Friday his intention to spend about $8 billion on the border wall with a mix of spending from Congressional appropriations approved Thursday night, executive action and an emergency declaration. A senior White House official familiar with the plan told ABC News that $1.375 billion would come from the spending bill Congress passed Thursday; $600 million would come from the Treasury Department's drug forfeiture fund; $2.5 billion would come from the Pentagon's drug interdiction program; and through an emergency declaration: $3.5 billion from the Pentagon's military construction budget."

Source:

TRUMP SAYS HE WILL SIGN

House Passes Funding Deal

1 weeks ago

THE DETAILS

"The House passed a massive border and budget bill that would avert a shutdown and keep the government funded through the end of September. The Senate passed the measure earlier Thursday. The bill provides $1.375 billion for fences, far short of the $5.7 billion President Trump had demanded to fund steel walls. But the president says he will sign the legislation, and instead seek to fund his border wall by declaring a national emergency."